Comfort Asemota
Gombe, Nigeria – In Gombe State, malnutrition continues to threaten the lives of children under five, but a quiet revolution is taking root in local communities. Mothers are now turning to Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potatoes (OFSP) to improve child nutrition and combat vitamin deficiencies that have long plagued the region.
At the Federal Medical Centre, Kumo, seven-month-old Adamu weighs just 2.9 kilograms and is battling severe acute malnutrition. His mother, Aisha Gambo, recounts how he was born healthy but began declining at four months.
“We were referred to Kumo from Kaltungo, and they put him on a special diet. We are trying our best to ensure his well-being,” she said.
Sweet Potatoes Transform Child Nutrition
In communities like Kalorgu in Kaltungo Local Government Area, mothers are introducing OFSP as a nutrient-rich complementary food. Rich in Vitamin A, the crop supports growth, immunity, and eye health, while being easy to cultivate and integrate into local diets.
Sandra Bala, 21, said her baby’s health improved dramatically after six months of exclusive breastfeeding followed by complementary feeding with OFSP.
“Since I introduced my baby to complementary feeding after six months, she has never fallen sick,” Bala said.
Other mothers report similar successes. Aisha Muhammed Aliyu noted her child’s persistent eye issues vanished after regular OFSP consumption. Mommy Abubakar observed weight gain and improved activity in her child, while Amina Isa highlighted the crop’s dual benefit of improving nutrition and providing income through the sale of tubers, vines, and leaves.
Government and UNICEF Support
The Gombe State Government and UNICEF are complementing community efforts. In January, the government procured 5,830 cartons of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) to treat severe wasting in over 6,529 children. The initiative is part of the PARSNIP programme (Progressing Action on Resilient Systems for Nutrition through Innovation and Partnership), supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and implemented with UNICEF.
According to UNICEF Nutrition Specialist Philomena Irene, PARSNIP focuses on preventing malnutrition, promoting early detection, and improving child feeding practices. Over 106,000 children have received Small Quantity Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements (SQ-LNS), and more than 20,000 caregivers have been trained on early detection and proper feeding.
Multi-Sectoral Approach to Malnutrition
Gombe State Nutrition Officer Mohammed Bawa explained that introducing OFSP is part of a deliberate, evidence-based strategy to tackle micronutrient deficiency. Women are trained to cultivate, process, and sell OFSP, improving both nutrition and household income.
At Kalorgu Primary Health Care Centre, nutrition education begins during pregnancy. Facility Manager Rona Yaro emphasises routine screenings, complementary feeding education, and early referrals to prevent malnutrition.
Malnutrition: A Persistent Challenge
Despite these efforts, malnutrition remains a major threat in Gombe and northern Nigeria. Dr Ebisike Kelechi, a consultant paediatric gastroenterologist at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, estimates that malnutrition accounts for about 45% of deaths among children aged seven to 23 months.
Key drivers include:
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Limited exclusive breastfeeding (only 34% of Nigerian children are exclusively breastfed)
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Poverty and food insecurity
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Poor hygiene and sanitation leading to recurrent infections
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Inadequate health-seeking behaviour and fragile primary healthcare systems
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Displacement and conflict disrupting livelihoods and farming
Dr Kelechi emphasises the need for a multi-sectoral approach combining public education, improved food security, stronger health systems, and political commitment.
The Way Forward
Experts agree that sustained interventions, including OFSP and SQ-LNS, combined with community education and government support, can prevent malnutrition and save thousands of young lives. Mothers like Aisha Gambo and Sandra Bala are living proof that nutrition education and simple, nutrient-rich foods can transform children’s survival odds.
“Malnutrition is not merely a consequence of hunger but a cumulative outcome of neglect, misinformation, poverty, and fragile social systems,” Dr Kelechi said.
With coordinated action, training, and access to nutritious foods like OFSP, Gombe communities are beginning to turn the tide against child malnutrition.
